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LEARNING ABOUT THE MILITARY
Today’s Military Website is produced by the United States Department of Defense. This site is more than a recruiting tool for any branch of the U.S. Military. It can be used as a resource for parents, educators, and young adults curious about military service.
MAKING THE TRANSITION TO VETERAN
For Transitioning, use TurboTAP.org: This is Department of Defense’s official website provides information to service members and their families on transitioning from military service. Supported also by the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs, TurboTAP.org is intended to supplement the services offered by the Transition Assistance Offices and other groups. It provides handbooks for download, checklists, useful links, calculators and other tools. A very useful site.
VA’s Returning Service Members Website (Your Benefits and How to Get Help): This site is primarily oriented on OEF/OIF veterans
KNOWING YOUR VETERANS BENEFITS
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Their Survivors Handbook: One of the best summaries of benefits that exists. Prepared by the VA.
Another ‘All-Points’ Information Source for Federal and State Benefits : myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/EN/bfFedCat.aspx
Your Pennsylvania State and County Veterans Benefits: www.milvet.state.pa.us/DMVA/163.htm. Do not forget to look at the educational, labor, and housing benefits.
Knowing a Little More: The American Veterans and Service Members Survival Guide: How To Cut Through The Bureaucracy And Get What You Need — And Are Entitled To, by the Veterans for America, 2008:
Knowing About Your Benefits (The Handyman’s Guide): govbenefits.gov. Useful for about anything. A doublecheck for making sure you did not miss something or for finding a benefit when you don’t qualify for VA care. Example: SSDI. Gets down to state level.
ADDITIONAL LOCAL SOURCES OF HELP
Local Referral and Assistance Services:
- Lehigh County Information and Referral Service: For human services assistance in Lehigh County, mainly governmental, refer to Lehigh County’s Information and Referral Unit.
- Northampton County Information and Referral Service: Northampton County’s version of Lehigh’s I&R Unit is Information, Referral, and Emergency Services .
- The Local American Red Cross of the Lehigh Valley Valley-Wide Helpline is Kaputt: This premier information and referral service in the Lehigh Valley no longer exists. Effective in 2012, the United Way of Pennsylvania has instead sponsored its replacement, a larger region 211 information telephone line for social and health services (this is a national effort) which may be of use . Use www.redcrosslv.org/vwh.html to obtain additional information.
Local Resource Finders:
- National Guard Family Program Local Community Resource Finder: This site is useful to more than just the National Guard.
- Military HOMEFRONT Installations and Directories of Services: This site is more oriented on installations of all types. Useful for finding what exists in Pennsylvania and how to contact.
- Operation Homefront (PA/DE Chapter): This nonprofit organization provides aid to families struggling not only with emergencies, but also with the problems of everyday life. For their facebook page is click here .
- Army Resources: A listing of Army and DoD related resources for Pennsylvania which also leads to the two sites above at the bottom of the page.
- Lehigh Valley PA Online: Something adapted to the Lehigh Valley by subject area.
- Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation website: You got to be kidding, right? Nope.
Additional Local Government Resources:
- Know Your Local Legislators and Local Public Officials: Use this government directory provided by the Lehigh Valley League of Women Voters. When you just aren’t getting anywhere and the mountain to climb alone is just too high, legislative assistants and/or a legislator may be helpful. Do not expect specialized training or even a basic knowledge of veterans affairs. But then again, such wonders they may perform if smart and diligent.
- State Government Phone Numbers: Use the Commonwealth Telephone Directory.
Military Relief Societies: We could provide you various Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard relief societies, but we recommend you contact our local Red Cross above first to assist as a more efficient, comprehensive way of getting needed assistance. Ask about military relief societies if necessary.
Veterans Organizations: Veterans organizations often have their own support programs. The Red Cross is knowledgeable of some but there are so many. And occasionally what you are looking for is a chapter or post to join or transfer to. Currency of information is always an issue. Probably the best way to find current information is to use this VA Partners site, selecting the organization one is interested in, and working ones way down to local level.
Last Updated: 28 February 2012 (review of links)
